Hogan says he'll start naming appointees soon

Gov.-elect Larry Hogan said he will begin announcing his appointments to key state positions before Christmas – probably as early as next week.

Gov.-elect Larry Hogan said he will begin announcing his appointments to key state positions before Christmas — probably as early as next week.

The newly elected Republican said he would announce the appointments as he makes them instead of waiting to introduce the new officials in groups.

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"We're not in a hurry. We want to be careful. We want to be deliberate," Hogan said.

Hogan spoke at an Annapolis news conference in which he named the final 31 members of his transition team, including lawmakers of both parties, business executives and many former colleagues in the Ehrlich administration. The transition team serves as an advisory panel to the new governor as he prepares to take office.

"It's a very diverse group of people who come from both parties, from the private sector, from the public sector, people from one end of the state to another," Hogan said.

The group includes two senators, Republican David R. Brinkley of Frederick County and Democrat C. Anthony Muse of Prince George's County. Brinkley, who served as minority leader but was defeated in his party's primary, is regarded as an expert on the state budget. Muse is seen as a maverick within the Democratic ranks.

Also named to the team was Del. Justin Ready, a Carroll County Republican who was one of the earliest members of Hogan's Change Maryland organization.

•Ken Holt, a former delegate who was the Republican nominee for Baltimore County executive in 2010.

•Jim Fielder, former secretary of labor, licensing and regulation.

Hogan took questions after the announcement but avoided policy statements. He made no complaints about the O'Malley administration's handling of the transition. Last week, he criticized the incumbent Democrat for proposing a series of regulations after Election Day.

Over the last three weeks, Hogan has been gradually rounding out his transition team. Among his high-profile recruits have been former state schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick, former state senator and Anne Arundel County Executive Robert R. Neall, former Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and former Republican gubernatorial rivals Helen Delich Bentley and Ellen R. Sauerbrey.